**This year, there is a noticeable increase in the number of American students studying climate and environmental programmes at Ghent University. One of the reasons for this is President Trump’s policy of making significant cuts to education and research funding. We had the opportunity to speak with several American students in Ghent.**
The Faculty of Bioengineering Sciences at Ghent University normally has one or two American students each year. This year there are about ten, and the university expects even more.
A frequently heard reason is President Trump’s policies, especially among American students studying environmental and climate sciences.
‘The Trump administration is making significant cuts to science budgets, and scientists are no longer free to speak out, especially when it comes to climate change,’ says Colby, who has been studying for an international master’s degree in soil sciences at Ghent University since the start of this academic year.
‘I’m from Florida, where a lot is changing in education at the moment. Laws are being passed that impose restrictions on schools, determining which books can and cannot be in the libraries, and universities have to surrender some of their independence to politically led administrations… You’ll find many students who feel the same way.’
Hanna, a master’s student in environmental sciences, says she has had the same experience. ‘After completing my bachelor’s degree, I worked for a while in the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. There, I saw how jobs disappeared, how you suddenly couldn’t say everything you wanted to say, how you were constantly monitored.’
‘It scared a lot of people away. I, too, felt compelled to find a place where people believe in climate change. And where you do get opportunities to work in those sectors. I think a lot of people would flee the US if they had the chance.’
‘Trump is often seen here as a funny man who says funny things. As a joke. But what is happening is actually very serious. People don’t realise that enough.’
Hanna is even considering staying in Europe for good. ‘Of course, it will depend on how my studies go, whether I find work here and how the situation in the US evolves. But staying in Europe is definitely an option.’
Elishka also wants to stay in Ghent or Europe for as long as possible for the time being. ‘You feel that science and research are much more supported in Belgium and Europe. People try to be innovative and sustainable, whereas science is undervalued in the US. Our country does not support what we do.’
‘After my studies, I hope to be able to do something for the environment here. Part of my heart is in the US, but for students with a passion for climate and the environment, it has become unliveable there.’
Student Lane also feels better in Ghent than at the American university where she studied until last year. “The general climate in the US is very intense at the moment. Jobs are disappearing, there are security issues on university campuses, it’s dangerous to express yourself… Whereas here, everyone is incredibly friendly, I feel safe and I can be a version of myself that I cannot be in the US.”
they should charge them far more money. 7k is still almost nothing compared to some neighbours for masters programs
Send them back or we will import these foreign problems. Or at least make them pay 100k for a visa.
They don’t work and they’ve come here to steal or jobs!
6 comments
**This year, there is a noticeable increase in the number of American students studying climate and environmental programmes at Ghent University. One of the reasons for this is President Trump’s policy of making significant cuts to education and research funding. We had the opportunity to speak with several American students in Ghent.**
The Faculty of Bioengineering Sciences at Ghent University normally has one or two American students each year. This year there are about ten, and the university expects even more.
A frequently heard reason is President Trump’s policies, especially among American students studying environmental and climate sciences.
‘The Trump administration is making significant cuts to science budgets, and scientists are no longer free to speak out, especially when it comes to climate change,’ says Colby, who has been studying for an international master’s degree in soil sciences at Ghent University since the start of this academic year.
‘I’m from Florida, where a lot is changing in education at the moment. Laws are being passed that impose restrictions on schools, determining which books can and cannot be in the libraries, and universities have to surrender some of their independence to politically led administrations… You’ll find many students who feel the same way.’
Hanna, a master’s student in environmental sciences, says she has had the same experience. ‘After completing my bachelor’s degree, I worked for a while in the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. There, I saw how jobs disappeared, how you suddenly couldn’t say everything you wanted to say, how you were constantly monitored.’
‘It scared a lot of people away. I, too, felt compelled to find a place where people believe in climate change. And where you do get opportunities to work in those sectors. I think a lot of people would flee the US if they had the chance.’
‘Trump is often seen here as a funny man who says funny things. As a joke. But what is happening is actually very serious. People don’t realise that enough.’
Hanna is even considering staying in Europe for good. ‘Of course, it will depend on how my studies go, whether I find work here and how the situation in the US evolves. But staying in Europe is definitely an option.’
Elishka also wants to stay in Ghent or Europe for as long as possible for the time being. ‘You feel that science and research are much more supported in Belgium and Europe. People try to be innovative and sustainable, whereas science is undervalued in the US. Our country does not support what we do.’
‘After my studies, I hope to be able to do something for the environment here. Part of my heart is in the US, but for students with a passion for climate and the environment, it has become unliveable there.’
Student Lane also feels better in Ghent than at the American university where she studied until last year. “The general climate in the US is very intense at the moment. Jobs are disappearing, there are security issues on university campuses, it’s dangerous to express yourself… Whereas here, everyone is incredibly friendly, I feel safe and I can be a version of myself that I cannot be in the US.”
they should charge them far more money. 7k is still almost nothing compared to some neighbours for masters programs
Send them back or we will import these foreign problems. Or at least make them pay 100k for a visa.
They don’t work and they’ve come here to steal or jobs!
Did we check their phones for memes of BDW?
Make sure they’re vaccinated. /jk
Comments are closed.